I’ve returned from what will be one of my favorite chill adventures in a while — a two-week road trip up the Central Coast with not much pre-booking of anything along the way. I’d been wanting to feel like a leaf in the wind for some time now, just a free family of four stopping at interesting sites, and we did it. It was so nice.
Now, let’s pretend we’re neighbors in the late 70s and I’ve whipped out my 45lb projector and forced you to come over to see my vacation photos, shall we? I know it’s early, but I’m not a total boor. I’ve served up some great pretend tea and biscuits. Dig in! We’re getting started.
Heading north and passing by Cachuma Lake. It's the greenest I’ve seen California in a long time!
Of course we had to stop in Solvang to soak in the charm and inhale a Danish!
We visited the Old Mission Santa Inés, founded in 1804, the 19th of 21 missions along California's Camino Real. Santa Inés was also the site of the 1824 Chumash rebellion that spread far and wide.
Hearst Castle's architect, Julia Morgan, made it earthquake-proof and indestructible. Also, check out the gorgeous library.
We reached the Winchester Mystery House with its 160 rooms, doors to nowhere, 10,000 window panes, and spooky haunted vibes!
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk was so much fun, but also kinda creepy once my daughter pointed out that Us was filmed there!
By far our favorite activity was the Roaring Camp train ride through virgin redwood forest in Felton, CA. The smell of the trees and wild bay leaves was perfectly restoring.
The view from dinner on Cannery Row after a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. As an amateur bird watcher, I never travel without my binoculars and while we waited for our meal we watched otters playing in the kelp and caught this amazing double rainbow! See it?
Lastly, our incredibly scenic drive home through hilly wine country and bountiful agricultural terrain. It was so beautiful and complex, it made me weep! To be fair, Joni Mitchell’s “California” was also playing, so it was bound to happen.
Happy to be back,
Connie
Your KCRW Insider since 2001
P.S. Get out there while the weather is perfect and nature is showing off. If you roll through Castroville, stop for yummy Japanese food at Hanabi, our accidental find.
Just ten or fifteen seconds of “Viva Tirado” launched a musical movement that connected the peoples of South and East LA. It’s kind of amazing how a single song can have so much history and power. Originally written in 1962 by the legendary American Black bandleader, musician, arranger, and educator Gerald Wilson, “Viva Tirado” took on a flurry of renditions and complimented an era when the Black and Brown people in Los Angeles were unrepresented. This song gave a feeling, or atmosphere of that experience and built bridges through a shared love of the same music. Hear the history of this song and its influence on music and culture in the Latin American and Black communities on this episode of Lost Notes.
It’s said the two happiest days in a boat owner’s life are the day they purchase their boat and the day they donate their boat to KCRW! (That’s what they say around here, at least 🙂) When you donate your car, boat, RV, or motorcycle, you'll not only benefit yourself with a KCRW Membership and tax-deductible donation, but that vehicle will support KCRW’s music, news, and culture programming. It only takes two steps: 1) Call toll-free (888) 527-9227 or go to kcrw.com/cars and fill out the donation information form (we accept calls and submissions seven days a week) and 2) Schedule your free pick-up. We’ll send a licensed towing company to pick up your vehicle at a time that works for you. That’s it!
It’s hard to contemplate what life would be like if you lost your life partner. Someone you share everything with — all of your love, intimacy, emotion, and thoughts. How on earth could you build that kind of relationship or connection again? Death is an unfortunate reality of life, and we’ve all experienced some kind of loss, or know someone who has. The loss of a life partner is unimaginable until it actually happens. Then what? Will we ever open up again to someone new? Myisha Battle chats with Bri Luna, aka The Hood Witch, to flesh out this tough topic and more on How’s your sex life?
Many of today’s idols are pioneers, artists, and high-profile CEOs who, despite their critics, took a wrecking ball to the status quo. But why do we put these people on pedestals? The French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville observed that “people liked the security and comfort that comes from being led, and being sort of indoctrinated, told what to think and what to do.” Is this why it’s easy to end up in relationships with narcissists? In short, we’re drawn to them because they’re compelling (charm, charisma, confidence… sounds like a Bethesda game). However, being in a relationship with someone who displays these traits can be psychologically damaging. Find out how to identify if someone’s a narcissist and what to do about it.
Monday’s Young Creators Project Showcase at School Night was inspiring and exciting. There’s a world of talent out there and we got a taste of it throughout the project, culminating in this musical evening. If you haven’t heard them, our featured artists were Kaiden Surti, The Lemonfrogs, Slideshow, Great Big Cow, and Veritus Miller. If you're hungry for more music from awesome young talent here in LA, be sure to peep our full playlist of submissions we received this year.
"KCRW is a sanctuary for me. There’s a program and host for every moment of the day and night. You are a constant source of fuel for my imagination, education, and good vibes. Thank you!" – Elaine (Redondo Beach)
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